Improving and Protecting Local Water Quality

South Creek

Casperson Park on Lake Marion

South Creek

South Creek Restoration

In 2018, a project restored a tributary of South Creek, a DNR-designated trout stream, separating it from a City stormwater pond. The project benefits included improved water quality, habitat enhancement and fisheries protection.

In 2019, the City restored a channelized 1,400 linear feet of the stream. In addition, the project converted six acres of previously cropped land to native vegetation to act as a stream buffer and provide pollinator habitat.

Rough Fish Management in East Lake

In 2018, the City of Lakeville estimated the biomass of common carp in East Lake. Carp abundance was found to be above 100 kg/ha, which is the threshold at which negative water quality impacts are observed. In addition, tracking devices were installed to determine if carp were able to freely travel outside of the lake.

In 2019, the City continued common carp monitoring efforts, and determined that fish were able to freely migrate into North Creek, a tributary of the Vermillion River. Goldfish, which also negatively impact water quality, were also found within the lake.